Bus strikes are underway impacting dozens of routes across West and South West London with drivers, engineers and controllers at London United and London Transit taking action over ‘low pay and awful conditions’. Some 2,000 bus workers in London have walked out today (Friday, August 29) until 5am on Saturday, August 30, and are due to strike again from 5am on Monday, September 1 until 5am on Tuesday, September 2.
Drivers, engineers and controllers at London United and London Transit, both linked to parent company First Bus London, are among those striking across the country with 7,500 in total taking part. London bus routes from eight depots are being hit by the strikes, these being: Fulwell, Hounslow, Hounslow Heath, Park Royal, Shepherd’s Bush, Stamford Brook, Tolworth and Westbourne Park.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Bus employers everywhere need to get the message loud and clear: Driver pay simply does not reflect the stresses and strains of the job. Fatigue, a lack of toilets, abuse and even assaults are a daily occurrence. Unite will fight tooth and nail for bus workers until wages and conditions improve across the sector.”
The union is also campaigning for improvements to rest breaks, toilet facilities and shift patterns to reduce what a spokesperson described as a ‘dangerous and endemic fatigue’. The spokesperson added: “Bus drivers are more likely to suffer mental and physical ill health than other professions due to the stressful nature of the job.”
First Bus London says a fresh pay offer was made as a ‘final attempt’ to avoid the strikes going ahead. A spokesperson added they are ‘ready to meet Unite at any time’ for further talks.
Other bus routes expected to be ‘busier than normal’
A spokesperson for First Bus London said: “We are disappointed at Unite’s decision, particularly as we tabled a revised pay offer in a final attempt to avert disruption. We regret that our valued employees were not given the chance to formally vote on the offer, especially as our own internal feedback indicated a good level of interest in what we proposed. We believe that constructive engagement could have helped us avoid strike action, which will unfortunately cause unnecessary inconvenience to the London public and loss of earnings for our employees.
“Our enhanced, above-inflation offer with full back pay for all employees reflects the value we place on our people and our commitment to protecting them from the rising cost of living, even in the challenging financial environment we operate in. We remain ready to meet Unite at any time, as we are committed to finding a resolution and minimising disruption for our passengers and employees alike.
“ We expect there to be little or no service on the affected routes, and we’re sorry for any disruption this may cause to people’s journeys. There will still be alternative travel options, but other routes may be busier than normal. We encourage those who are affected to plan ahead, allow extra time for their journeys and check before they travel using the TfL website or the TfL Go app.”
The 71 London bus routes hit by strikes
The 71 routes likely to be affected during the strikes over the coming days: 13, 18, 23, 31, 33, 49, 65, 70, 71, 72, 85, 94, 105, 110, 116, 117, 148, 203, 216, 218, 220, 224, 235, 272, 281, 283, 290, 293, 295, 371, 406, 411, 418, 419, 423, 440, 452, 467, 613, 662, 665, 681, 696, 698, C1, E3, H22, H37, H98, K1, K2, K3, K4, K5, KU1, KU2, KU3, N13, N18, N23, N31, N33, N65, N72, N85, N94, N105, N148, N220, N281, N295.
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